Jeopardy! is the most popular game show on TV, where the smartest players answer tricky questions that most of us at home find really hard.
But recently, something surprising happened. All three contestants on an episode were stumped by what seemed like an easy clue about the Lord’s Prayer.
On June 13, in the “Dadjectives” category, host Mayim Bialik read a $200 clue (usually the easiest): “This ‘Be Thy Name,’ Our Father Who Art in Heaven,” declares Matthew 6:9.
The answer is “hallowed” (or “what is hallowed” in Jeopardy! terms), a word familiar to anyone who’s learned the Lord’s Prayer in Sunday school.
While Jeopardy! contestants sometimes miss easy answers, this one about the Lord’s Prayer struck a nerve with many viewers, especially Christians.
One person tweeted, “On Jeopardy last night, not a single player recognized the answer to this. Are you awake yet?”
Another tweet said, “Growing up, learning the Lord’s Prayer was like learning the Pledge of Allegiance. You just did.”
One comment read, “Even if it might not be an indication of the end of the world, it tells volumes about Americans and their faith—or lack thereof.”
Some viewers saw it as a sign of declining faith in the US, while others were just shocked that no one got such a simple clue.
One Twitter user said, “I’m an atheist and even I knew the answer to that lord’s prayer question.”
Another wrote, “My 4-year-old niece correctly answered this Jeopardy question! I was just wondering if the contestants had never heard of the Lord’s Prayer.”
Someone else joked, “How are those in jeopardy? Nerds are unaware of the answer. Do they not know who Iron Maiden is?” referring to the Iron Maiden song “Hallowed Be Thy Name.”
While the missed question surprised some, others were more understanding. Two of the contestants had low scores and might have played it safe to avoid losing points.
It’s also important to note that Jeopardy! often asks questions about Christianity and the Bible, and players usually get them right. Some even think there are too many questions about Christianity on the show.
Jeopardy! contestants come from diverse backgrounds and beliefs, so these three might not have grown up with the Lord’s Prayer.
The Final Jeopardy question was about 1970s films: “He starred in the 2 films whose soundtracks were the top 2 bestselling albums of 1978.” The contestants did better with this one.
The correct answer was John Travolta (from Saturday Night Fever and Grease soundtracks). Contestant Suresh Krishnan won again, making it six victories in a row.
What do you think about these Jeopardy! questions? Should the contestants have known the Lord’s Prayer? Share your thoughts on this story!
